Narendra Modi heads home after 3-nation tour, says visit will herald new era in India-Canada ties

Vancouver: Winding up his visit to Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said it was a historic trip that would herald a new era of cooperation between the two countries as he promised an early conclusion of a free trade agreement and a bilateral investment protection pact.

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"The importance of a visit is not measured by length but by the objectives. This was a historic visit, not because that an Indian Prime Minister is visiting here after 42 years but because after 42 years, the clouds of distance have gone away in a moment," Modi said at a reception hosted in his honour by his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper.

He said he considers this visit successful also because it helped bring back on track the ties, which had weakened.

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"The wall will now be converted into a bridge," Modi said.

A special thanks to @pmharper- a fine host, a wonderful human being and a very dear friend. pic.twitter.com/HoMyB1hDdI

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 17, 2015

"India and Canada will be together in thoughts, will move together and work together," Modi said.

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"We made progress in... BIPPA (Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement) and CECA (Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement) will be concluded soon. I am confident," said Modi who held wide-ranging talks with Harper on Wednesday during his three-day visit to this country.

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Modi also talked about the immense cooperation possibilities between India and Canada.

Stressing that if Canada participates India's development it will benefit, Modi said it will also have the satisfaction of contributing to development of one-sixth of humanity.

Saying goodbye to our friends while leaving for Vancouver. pic.twitter.com/7oLIqFJDsy

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 16, 2015

During his address, Modi also recalled Swami Swami Vivekananda's Canada visit. He lauded the Indian community for their contribution to the country and so did Harper.

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